ConstructingaLithium-IonPolymerBatterywithanImbedded.docVIP

Constructing a Lithium-Ion/Polymer Battery with an Imbedded Protection Circuit Module (PCM) Michael Kovalcik Team 10 ECE_480_FS08 Executive Summary: Rechargeable lithium- ion (Li-Ion) and lithium-polymer (Li-Po) cells have a higher energy density and greater nominal voltage than conventional, onetime use batteries. Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries are the ideal power source for many portable electronic devices. In order to maximize their lifecycle and increase safety, both Li-Ion and Li-Po cells require the use of a Protection Circuit Model (PCM) when assembled together to form a battery. The PCM will generally provide the battery with overcharge/discharge protection, short circuit protection, current limitation, and voltage and current balancing in each cell. All of these factors are important in obtaining the maximum output and longest lifecycle from a rechargeable lithium battery. These notes will discuss the need for and configuration of a PCM, the advantages and disadvantages of these configurations, and step-by-step instructions for the construction of a rechargeable lithium battery with an onboard PCM. Keywords: Battery, Cell, Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), Lithium-Polymer (Li-Po), Protection Circuit Module (PCM), Energy Density, Nickel-Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH), Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad), Lead-Acid Introduction: When compared to other types of rechargeable batteries, the high energy density associated with lithium-ion and lithium-polymer cells makes them the ideal power source for portable electronic devices. Because of this, rechargeable lithium batteries can be found in a wide variety of consumer electronic devices such as cellular telephones, laptop computers, digital cameras and cordless power tools. In order to maximize their lifecycle and reduce safety concerns, both lithium-ion (Li-Ion) and lithium-polymer (Li-Po) cells require the use of a Protection Circuit Model (PCM) when assembled together to form a battery (See Figure 4.). The PCM may be imbedded in the charg